Kathy’s Iowa Garden in July

Is there anything more delightful than the scent of fresh flowers in your garden or on your balcony? With summer just around the corner, it's the perfect time to embrace outdoor living. From warm sunshine to vibrant blooms and the gentle hum of bees, nature is coming alive once more. By introducing fragrant plants into your garden, patio, or balcony, you can create a serene holiday retreat right at home.

“Uncontrollable changes in a garden are inevitable and wonderful opportunities,” says Donald Pell, a landscape designer in Chester County, Pennsylvania. To prove this is true, Donald and his associates created an incredible series ofnaturalistic gardens around their studio. This landscape has become an invaluable laboratory where Donald and his team learn from failures and from the many years of watching this landscape design evolve. “Establishing a garden based on an initial plan (perhaps one even scribbled on paper) is a great place to start, but as plants, the setting, conditions, our knowledge, and our tastes change, so should our designs,” Donald says.

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Header image: Cilantro seedlings grown in 100% recycled glass material. Image credit: Andrea Quezada

There is no way to sugarcoat the challenges many of us in the Mid-Atlantic region have faced this summer. The inconsistency of rainfall and the extreme high temperatures have greatly impacted our efforts to garden successfully. Even with valiant efforts to apply supplemental irrigation, I have witnessed a wide range of plant material showing signs of drought stress that I have rarely witnessed in my 15-plus years of gardening in this region. To say it is cause for concern would be an understatement. As a result, in the last few months I have been repeatedly asked how we can prepare our beloved gardens to reduce heat and moisture stress for future growing seasons. One answer to this conundrum is to add organic matter to the soil in the form of compost.

Are you tired of growing the same old plants in your garden year after year? Looking for something that adds a new dimension to your gardening experience? If you're eager to explore innovative options, feminised seeds might be the perfect choice for you. These seeds not only offer unique benefits but also provide a fresh challenge for both novice and experienced gardeners. Let's dive into the world of feminised seeds and discover how they can revolutionize your garden.

How the GardenAdvice Plant Swap Service Works

As the crisp air of autumn approaches, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of nature’s generosity by expanding your garden without spending a penny. During this season, many common garden plants and shrubs enter a stage of growth that makes them ideal for propagation. By taking semi-hardwood stem cuttings, you can easily root a variety of plants, such as weigela, hydrangea, and daphne. This simple gardening technique can help you cultivate a flourishing garden with minimal cost. Why Autumn is Perfect for Plant Cutting

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Join us this summer as we explore some of the UK’s best 2-for-1 Gardens to visit in August, for fun days out with all the family. Whether it’s an adventure playground or woodland trail for the kids, or a rose garden or restored Elizabethan garden for the horticulturalists, there is plenty to enjoy at these gardens. Visit using your 2-for-1 Gardens card to save money on your trips to all these wonderful gardens.

Lana Williams, owner of Oakland, California-based plant shop and design company The Tender Gardener, is known for her gorgeous step-by-step plant recipes for creating lush outdoor planters. In Lana’s latest book release, The Container Garden Recipe Book, she’s revealing fabulous floral and frond combos that will have you making plant and pot pairings like a pro. Here she shares a few seasonally appropriate tips on the types of statement plants and containers to use as we transition from late summer into fall.

A summer garden can be a source of joy and beauty, but maintaining it doesn't have to come at the expense of the environment. With the right approach, you can make your outdoor space both aesthetically pleasing and sustainable. In this article, we share practical tips for creating a summer garden that is not only a feast for the eyes but also kind to nature. From selecting the right plants to efficiently using water and energy, discover how simple adjustments can make a positive impact on your garden and the surrounding environment.